136 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



fragrance rejoicing the hearts of those who plucked them, and de- 

 lighting also the passers by. *" A nook or border thus planted brings 

 a rich return. — Chicago Advance. 



FLOWERS AND POLITIOS. 



Another way of purifying and ennobling the national life is through 

 its political life. Flowers and politics — what incongruous elements ! 

 How can flowers be made to benefit politics? In the political strife 

 of England known as the "War of the Roses," we find the angry 

 Duke of York wearing the white rose as his emblem, while his oppo- 

 nent, the haught}' Duke of Somerset, plucked from the bush a red 

 rose to be worn as his badge. Later on, we read that the primrose 

 has been favored b}- some of England's lords ; and from certain 

 associations connected with it, might almost be called a political 

 flower. The Primrose League, which numbers more than four thou- 

 sand members, is an order of conservatives founded in honor of the 

 late Lord Beaconsfield and takes the primrose as its badge. So we 

 see that flowers have figured conspicuously in English politics. It 

 has been urged that if women were allowed sufl^rage, the voting 

 places would be purer and that her presence would have a tendency 

 to refine her brothers. We need not wait for that day to come, but 

 may commence now to make the atmosphere healthier and purer in 

 these voting halls. Decorate them with flowers as you do your 

 churches until the perfume of these gifts of nature is more pervad- 

 ing than the odor of tobacco, and even the coarsest natures will feel 

 their influence. Teach them that as the flower is pure so the ballot 

 must be kept pure, and that it is a sacred trust to elect officers for 

 city. State or nation. Do you say this is a sort of milleuial doc- 

 trine — a condition that can never be obtained? I believe that there 

 is something within the heart of nearly every man or woman, even 

 though he or she be a hardened criminal, that would in time respond 

 to the influence of flowers, as surely as it would respond to the kind 

 act of some near friend. 



In all receptions given to prominent personages, flowers are used 

 profusely. Whether it be an ovation to our President, or to the 

 representative of royalty, we welcome him with flowers, adorn his 

 carriage, and strew his pathway with the choicest blossoms, and let 

 the flowers utter our adieux. Thus the people cause the flowers to 

 express most beautifully, though silently, the respect, the love even 



